Updated
GL-L-01
Glossary · Citizenship and residency programs
L-1A Visa - USA, executive transfer
L-1A — a US visa for the intracompany transfer of an executive or manager from a foreign office of the company to a division in the USA.
01 / In 30 seconds
The short answer
- What it is
- L-1A — a US visa for transferring an executive to a company’s US office
- Who it is for
- Executives and senior managers of international companies
- Condition
- Work in a foreign office and a related company in the US
- Advantage
- Leads to a green card in the EB-1C category
- Can you prepare
- Yes: build the structure and evidence the role
02 / In plain words
What L-1A Visa means
L-1A is a US visa for intracompany transfers: it allows an international company to transfer an executive or manager from a foreign office to its US office. It is an employment rather than an investment route, but for business owners and senior managers it often becomes the road to living and working in America.
The key conditions: the applicant must have worked for the foreign company in an executive or managerial position (usually for at least one year out of the last three), and there must be a related company in the US — a parent, subsidiary, branch or affiliate. If there is no US company yet, L-1A allows a new office to be opened and an executive transferred there to develop the business locally.
The main value of L-1A is its prospects: this visa leads to a green card in the prestigious EB-1C category for multinational executives, often without the laborious labour market test. That is why L-1A is chosen by entrepreneurs who want not just to come but to establish themselves in the US and obtain permanent status. It is important to build the corporate structure properly and evidence the executive role.
A case from practice
A company owner wants to establish themselves in the US. They open a US office and, on an L-1A, transfer themselves as executive to develop it. With genuine activity and a sound structure, after the required period they move to a green card in the EB-1C category.
Who L-1A suits
- Owners of an international business
- Senior managers and executives
- Opening a company office in the US
- Transferring a manager to the US office
- A path to an EB-1C green card
- Establishing the business and family in the US
03 / What it covers
What matters about L-1A
Conditions
- An executive role
- A year in a foreign office
- A related company in the US
Who it is for
- Managers
- Business owners
- Senior managers
Advantage
- A path to a green card
- The EB-1C category
- Often without a labour market test
Keep in mind
- Genuine activity
- Corporate structure
- Evidence of the role
04 / How it works
How to obtain L-1A
Assessing the structure and role
Preparing the company documents
Filing the petition
Review
The visa and the path to a green card
05 / Key facts
What you need to know
01
L-1A is a visa for transferring an executive to a US office
02
A related company in the US and executive experience are required
03
It allows a new office to be opened and a manager transferred
04
Leads to a green card in the EB-1C category
05
Often without a laborious labour market test
Common mistakes
- Claiming an executive role without real management
- Opening an “empty” company in the US with no activity
- Not establishing the link between the foreign and US firms
- Underestimating the requirements for evidencing experience
- Not planning the move to a green card in advance
06 / Expert advice
How to prepare in advance
For L-1A a real corporate structure is built: the executive role and experience in the foreign office are evidenced, and the link with the US company and its genuine activity are ensured. The move to an EB-1C green card is planned in advance. Then the visa not only opens entry but leads to permanent status in the US.
What we do for you. We help entrepreneurs and managers obtain an L-1A visa: we build the corporate structure, evidence the executive role and the link between the companies, and plan the move to an EB-1C green card. That way you do not just come to the US but establish yourself there with the prospect of permanent status for yourself and your family.
Anna KovalevskayaLead lawyer for EU citizenship and residency, 12 years of practice
07 / Questions
Frequently asked questions
A US visa for the intracompany transfer of an executive or manager from a company’s foreign office to its US office.
Business owners and senior managers of international companies with executive experience and a related company in the US.
Yes. L-1A allows a new office to be opened and an executive transferred there to develop the business locally — one of the popular scenarios.
Yes, to a green card in the prestigious EB-1C category for multinational executives, often without the laborious labour market test.
Usually at least one year in an executive or managerial position with the foreign company out of the last three years, plus a genuine link between the firms.
Yes, the spouse and children receive derivative status. The spouse can also obtain permission to work in the US.
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